The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (Sep 15, 1941)

A = as
SUMMARY

of World-Wide

Motion Picture

NEWS

= Uy CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE.

VOLT, NOT:

Pascal Takes Bow At
See Debut of aio
Barbara’

Ottawa—The Elgin theatre,
Ottawa house of Twentieth.
Century Theatres, was the
scene on September 11th of
one of the most brilliant
openings in the capital city’s
history. The occasion was the
Canadian premiere of George
Bernard Shaw’s ‘Major Barbara”
as a motion picture.

So great was the demand for

invitations to the premiere from

local citizens and personages in
Ottawa for war purposes that the
audience barely had_ breathing
room. Guests had a hard time get-
ting through the crowds that clog-
ged the vicinity of the theatre.

figure and producer of “Major
Barbara,” was called upon to pre-
sent himself to the audience. He
was introduced with a_ witty
speech by Leonard W. Brocking-
ton, K.C., former Chairman of the
Board of Governors of the Canad-

(Continued on Page 2)

+S Gens Gait ORS: September 15th, 1941.

Famous Keeps MGM’s Product

Elgin. Ottawa 20th Cent’y House, in Gala Premiere

Grierson’s Service
Term Extended

John Grierson, chairman of the
National Film Board, hiad his term
of office extended for another three
months, according té an announce-
ment from the Prpemene of Na-
tional War: Services:

Grierson was brought to’ Ganda
from an executive position in the
British film industry several years
ago. He has been im charge of all
film activities of the Dominion
government for a few years, his
term having been extended several
times.

| Lieut. Allen Busy

Gabriel Pascal, famed world film |

1 COLNE.

Lieutenant Gurston Allen of the
son of Jule Allen, is
chairman of the War Efforts Com-
mittee of the Canadian Jewish
Congress.

Under Lieutenant Allen’s super-

vision the Committee has furnish-
ed all camp messes in Military
District No. 2.

Shows Foil Hitler’s Plots & Plans
Haul in Heaps of Pots & Pans

The theatre’s aluminum collec-
tion, which. was carried on in con-
junction with the Dominion-wide
Aluminum Drive, added tremend-

ous piles to the general heap of}

that much-sought metal. Theatres
from coast to coast reported an

enthusiastic response {to the offer |,

of gratis shows for discarded uten-
sils.

Chatham, for instance, pulled in
3365 pieces and the town took

great pride in the score. Photog- |!

raphers from the Chatham Daily
News iand the Windsor Star re-
corded the haul. Two Kitchener
theatres got 1200 of the assorted
kitchenware out of 1,000 kids and
the Village, Toronto, “took 400
from 650 customers.

Small town collections were es-
pecially large. In many places the

free reelage unwound for stand-
ing room only. Everyone connect-
ed with the theatres handed their
services over on a plate. Local
merchants. provided the trucks
‘that took the aluminum away and
Boy Scouts helped the loading.

The aluminum collection, sched-

‘uled for September 5th and 6th,

ywas allowed to continue wherever
yresults made that worth while. A
mumber of theatres followed the
original matinee with amother on
the next Saturday.

| Drive officials expressed them-
‘selves as being highly pleased with
ithe results. An idea of the thea-
itres’ contribution to the drive may

be gathered from the fact that

‘there are 270,000 seats in Ontario
alone and these were mostly filled.

HIBITOR

Official Organ
of the
INDEPENDENT
THEATRES
ASSOCIATION

$5.00 Per Annum

Fizgibbons-Connors Ink Deal For

Leo’s 1941-2 Outlets in Dominion

It has been officially announced that Metro’s 1941-42
product has been secured by the Famous Players Canadian
Corporation. J. J. Fitzgibbons, president of that organization,
signed the deal on Saturday, September 6th with Tom Con-
nors, General Sales Manager of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
pS Ete ick 2 as ie

Gould Tries
Finny Shenanigans

Ted Gould of Regal almost
started an international inci-
dent the other week-end at Ar-
thur Gottleib’s Quebec fishing
lodge.

Brother Gottleib throws these
occasional good-will gatherings.
Boys from both sides of the un-
defended border swap tales,
toasts and tangle with the finny
tenants. In the Canadian dele-
gation were Gould, Abe Cass,
Wolfe Cohen jand Dave Coplan.

Gould hooked a _ big bass.
“Four pounds,” said Ted. ‘‘More
like three,” corrected the boys.
“No,” persisted Ted. ‘“Yes,’ in-
sisted the boys. They wagered.
The boys were right. Mr. G. was
somewhat short of fish.

Mr. Gould bedded his fish
down. A while went by devoted
to other topics. Then the big
bass man joined the group again
and brought the talk back to
his catch. He demanded a re-
count—and got it.

The bass weighed more this
time. But not enough. Mr. Gould
wias more than disappointed. He
was greatly puzzled. He jerked
the bass. Out of its mouth rolled
the revelation of his perfidy— a
big pebble. But apparently not
big enough. It had been sneaked
in by the sleight-of-handy Mr.
Gould.

First he ran out of fish. Then
out of stone. But not out of
nerve. He just laughed. For that
matter, so did everybody. All in
fun.

The disposition of the MGM
product in Canada for the
coming year has been a much
discussed question in exhibitor
circles since it became known that
the current contract had not long
to go. The Famous-Metro deal
took many by surprise.

The exceptions to Famous pref-
erence extend to four cities, Ham-
ilton, Moncton, London and Tor-
onto, where earlier arrangements
covering first runs will continue.
These include Loew’s, London, and
Loew’s and Uptown, Toronto.

Trade Observes

Reconsecration

Canada’s motion picture thea-
tres have joined whole-heartedly
in Reconsecration Week, which. is
being marked between September
10th and 17th as part, of the Win-
the-War effort. The observance was
proclaimed by Premier King on
the occasion of the third anniver-
sary of the Dominion’s participa-
tion in the war for freedom.

Throughout the land _ lobbies,
fronts, screens and marquees serve
to honor the men in uniform
and give expression to the coun-
try’s determination to stand be-
hind the soldiers and the cause. A
seven-minute short, ‘Song of Lib-

(Continued on Page 2)

Roth New Supervisor

Syd Roth, partner of Jake Smith
in the Kum-C and Revue theatres,
Toronto, has become a supervisor
with 20th Century Theatres. Roth
will hamdle, besides his own thea-
tres, the Brock, Kenwood, and
Astor. The latter house will be
added to the 20th Century string
on April ist, 1942.

Page 2

‘SO EXHIBITOR

Published Semi-Monthly by the
INDEPENDENT THEATRES
ASSOCIATION

HYE BOSSIN
Managing Editor

Vol. 7, No. 18, Sept. 15th, 1941

Subscription Rates: Canada and
U.S.: $5.00 per annum

<> 28

Address all communications to
The Managing Editor

The CANADIAN EXHIBITOR

21 Dundas Square
AD. 4818

Toronto, Canada

Gala Premiere
At Elgin, Ottawa

(Continued from Page 1)
ian Broadcasting Corporation and
now special war-time assistant to
the Prime Minister. Pascal re-
ceived a great reception.

The proceeds were turned over
to the Women’s Auxiliary of the
Merchant Seamen’s Fund. A con-
gratulatory telegram was read
from the Princess Alice.

Present from Toronto for the
event were Nat A. Taylor, Gener-
al Manager of Twentieth Century
Theatres; Raoul Auerbach, man-
ager of Twentieth Century Thea-
tres; Sam Glazer, Canadian Gen-
eral Manager of United Artists,
and Mr. Jeffery, Toronto Sales
Manager. Marion Baldwin of the
New York office of United Artists
took in the proceedings.

The glittering sendoff seems to
guarantee “Major Barbara” an
indefinite run at the Elgin.

Reconsecration

(Continued from Page 1.)

erty” is-part of the regular pro-
gram and all newsreels have
shots of Canada busy at her task
‘of. aiding. the. allies. .

, Famous Players lobbies: are dis-
playing copies of the proclamation.
The military forces everywhere
have shown aj willingness to join
in -any , celebration -of the occa-
sion and many live-wire managers
took. advantage of this.

Civic officials and: service organ-
izations joined in and quite often
the local theatre became the cen-
tre of the town’s expression of loy-
alty.

J. J. Fitzgibbons and his assis-
tants of the Canadian Motion Pic-
ture War Efforts Committee call-
ed upon the industry for a power-
ful response—and got it.

DeMille

Cecil B. DeMille, whose specta-
cular productions have stimulated
the movie business for several de-

cades, gets off some interesting
ideas on business, movie and
otherwise. His thoughts cover

showmanship inside the industry
and out. Read what he says:

The show business is a much
vaster and more important insti-
tution than most people give it
credit for.

It extends far beyond the mo-
tion picture industry, which hap-
pens to be among the largest in-
dustries of the nation; beyond the
stage, the radio, and the circus. It
permeates almost every aspect of
life in the world today.

This is the age of showmanship
—in business, in government, in
diplomacy, even in war. And to-
day the great democracies of the
world need good showmen—hon-
est, intelligent, patriotic showmen.

I don’t suppose the average
businessman ever thinks of him-
self as being in the show business,
but if he isn’t, then I’m mot a
businessman. And I {can assure

you, every major motion picture

project, like the Technicolor sea
saga, “Reap the Wild Wind,”
which I now have before the cam-
eras, is big business.

The biggest show on earth to-
day is the news of the day, and
the price of admission to the gal-
lery seats is the price of your
daily newspaper. The front page is
the feature attraction, and the
motion picture section is the Wild
West Show.

Of course, the Hollywood brand
of showmanship can become a
little bizarre at times. Once, I re-
member, an:ingenious press agent
sent all the way to Egypt to have
the title of-a certain picture’ em-
blazoned on the pyramids. Not
long iago, another press agent ar-
ranged to have the star of his pic-
ture hypnotized on the set—then
invited the press out to see how
he’d take it.

But clever exploitation ideas
have helped to sell many a pic-
ture—and to cement many a pro-
file in the forecourts of Time. And
if you think Hollywood exploita-
tion methods are somewhat ex-
treme, let me call your attention
to some straight business merch-
andising’.

Skywriting, for instance. That,
gentlemen of the business world,
was your idea.

So were the “human flies’ of a
few years ago, climbing up the
faces of tall buildings that had
offices for rent.

So were the channel swimmers,
the flagpole sitters, and “Big
Butch,” a real fly, painted gold by
a large fly spray corporation. “Big
Butch” was unleased in Jersey
City with a $1,000 reward to any
lucky householder who could bring
him down. And I’ll bet he sold a

The Exhibitor

Speaks

lot of fly spray, too.
* * * * *

There was once a_ producer-
director of motion pictures who
for a time was called ‘“‘the bathtub
king.”’ The reason for the title was
the lavishness of the bathing
scenes in some of his pictures.

While those bathing scenes did
much to sell the pictures them-
selves, the plumbing’ industry
credits them with establishing the
tile bathroom as a national insti-
tution.

And I believe the screen sets
most of today’s feminine styles.
That affects not only the whole
garment industry, but the leather
goods business, the fur business,
the cosmetics manufacturers, and
the hairdressers.

You know, when a picture that’s
supposed to take place in the Win-
ter time is made in the Spring
time, the styles in that picture
can’t be last Winter’s styles. They
have to be next Winter’s styles.

That’s why we all employ lead-
ing desigmers, and that’s why
many great business houses send

Scouts to cover our previews.

It used to be that trade follow-
ed the flag. Today it follows the
screen. And with international
greed causing most of the trouble
in the world, some flags try to
follow trade.

* * % Co *

The point is that business needs
motion pictures, motion pictures
need business, and Democracy
needs all of us.

We believe in Democracy, and
it’s up to us—as showmen—to see
that Democracy continues to be-
lieve in itself.

Today every upright business
man in this hemisphere is engag-
ed in a holy crusade.

Now we have to sell more than
our own merchandise. We have to
sell liberty all over again. We have
to resell the principles of free and
honest enterprise, of tolerance,
and of good will.

We have to resell work, and
honor, and courage.

We have to safeguard our free
speech and our free press.

We have to sell national secur-
ity.

That’s why, in the past five

years, I’ve turned away from an- |

cient history in my picture-making
leaving the periods of ‘‘The Ten
Commandments,” “The King of
Kings,’ ‘“‘The Crusades” and ‘‘Cleo-

patra” for our own American
epoch, and pictures like ‘The
Plainsman,”’ “The Buccaneer,”’
“Union Pacific’ and “Reap the
Wild Wind.”
Po * * bo
This country, for instance, is

founded upon a great maritime
tradition, which now it is in dang-
er of forgetting. If ‘Reap the Wild
Wind” can re-stimulate pride in
that tradition, besides providing
(Continued on Page 6)

September 15th, 1941

Movie Dedicated
To Air Exiles

Toronto. — Warners introduced
its newest air epic, “International
Squadron,” to Canada with a pri-
vate showing for some of the most
distinguished airmen in the Dom-
inion today. The film is dedicated
to the Royal Air Force and the
allied exiles who serve with it.
“To the men of the Royal Air
Force,’’ the opening words read,
“and those exiled flyers who still
fight for their homelands in Eng-
land’s skies.”

Officers of the Royal Air Force,
the Royal Canadian Air Force, the
Royal. Norwegian Air Force and
other representative flyers express-
ed appreciation of the recognition
given their struggle.

The picture points out the con-
tribution of manpower made by
exiled flyers from countries still
under the Nazi yoke. The RAF is
shown in bombing’ expeditions
over Germany and the conquered
Channel ports. These sequences
were of particular interest to.
Wing Commander Dickens, one of
those present. He was the leader
of a flight of bombers which went
into action eleven hours after war
was declared.

“International Squadron” is the
last movie made by James Steph-
enson, who died of a heart attack
a few weeks. ago in Hollywood.
The actor, who was born in Selby,
Yorkshire, England, had recently
attained star status at Warners
through his fine work with Bette
Davis in “The Letter.” He also
starred in the splendid medical
play, “Shining Victory.”

Mobile Theatres

Three mobile movie setups for
outdoor showings have been at-
tached to the American Army and
will entertain troops between
training periods and mock war
trials. They are gifts of the Unit-
ed Service Organizations.

2172
SHEA'S THEATRE

(Toronto)

USED
Theatre Chairs
FOR

| Immediate Sale

These are spring cushion seats and
| upholstered backs.

| Apply Only To
HARDWARE AGENCIES
404 McKinnon Bldg.
69 York St.

Phone

WA. 0342

Toronto, Ont.

September 15th, 194]

Big Boost for
Short Subjects

A concentrated effort to sell
short subjects to both theatre oper-
ators and audiences, on the basis
of their individual merits instead
of along with the feature pictures,
will be launched by the major film
companies next month. One of the
principal objecuves in the drive
. will be the elimination from all
theatre marquees and screen trail-
ers, the familiar line of ‘Also
Selected Short Subjects,” this line
to be replaced by proper adver-
tising and publicity on each out-
standing short presented at the
theatres.

From Hollywood reports come
that the studio production heads
are also lending new aid in the
building of ,short subjects as
theatre attractions with more top
directors, producers, writers, and
even some top stars assigned to
short subjects in between feature
work. One studio, M-G-M, reports
a production budget in advance of
last year by 20 per cent. Other in-
creases in the money, men and
materials to be allotted to making
numerous shorts are impressive.

Publicity material on shorts is
being specially prepared by home
offices, picking from each reel cne
point on which managers may
build an effective exploitation ef-
fort. Press books, display material,
mats and newspaper campaigns are
being prepared for distribution
through exchanges. In many cases
this is the first time in a long,
long time, if ever, any such effort
has been made in behalf of the
short subjects.

“Institutional” campaigns on a
national basis are also reported
brewing in several shorts depart-
ments.-M-G-M and warners both
tell of ‘‘very special’ short sub-
jects promoticn schemes set for
launching in September.

FOR ALL
THEATRE
EQUIPMENT
and
SUPPLIES

—Call on—

PERIGINS

COMPANY LIMITED
277 VICTORIA STREET
TORONTO

2027 BLEURY STREET
MONTREAL

A

The Exhibitor

On the Square

By HYE BOSSIN

Jack Karr, the Toronto Daily Star’s film columnist, is va-
cationing out west . . Laura Elston, radio screenotator for
Vick’s Vapor Rub, has been renewed and will be airing her cinema
city chit-chat shortly. She has just returned from a several-week
visit in Hollywood, were she was made thoroughly welcome by
stars and studios ... Rohama Siegel, Toronto maid who shared the
writing credits for Gracie Fields’ “We’re Going To Be Rich,’ is
now the secretary of Luella Parsons, Hearst syndicate scribe,

known as “The First Lady of Hollywood.”

co * % * Bo

Jack (Scotty) Johnson, On The Square for a long time in
behalf of Filmart, has moved to Vancouver to manage the Music
Box theatre, which he acquired in partnership a while ago. Good
luck, lad . . . To the Imperial Bank on the corner: Will you get
that dag-nab clock of your’n fixed? I’ll have to get my tick-and-
tin timepiece out of hock if you don’t ... EBA has extended its
space on the 5th floor of the Hermant Building. The main offices
remain on the 11th.

The only pheasants, some twenty of them, shown at the
Canadian National Exhibition in the Ontario Government Building
were borrowed from Frank Meyers prize flock of Golden and Silver
breeds. Among them was Lady Amherst, a royal bird. Frank raises
them on his lakeshore place at Bronte... Squire Harry Price of
Beyond Weston has a glum look on his face. A dog got into his
coops and killed 32 of his guinea-hens. Raising them is Harry’s
best fun.

* * * * *

Funniest short subject I’ve seen in a long time is the amateur
film record that the Casino’s Charlie Mackie has of his Muskoka
vacation with Dick McBride . . . Eddie Wells of the MPDA was
a lieutenant in the AEF during the last big tiff... Somer James,
who left Premier Operating to join the merchant marine, was
last heard from in Cardiff, Wales—as he was leaving on a Nor-
wegian boat. Somer got there on a Greek boat which, having
delivered the goods, was headed back to Montreal. Not for Somer.

%* %* * % *

Nearest thing to a theatrical gym in town is Art McColl’s
Milo A.C. on Adelaide St. McColl is a well-known vaudeville per-
former and other acts rehearse their routines there. Most any five
o’clock you can find the editor getting a boxing lesson from the
Casino’s Murray Little, while Famous Player’s Harry O’Connor
looks on indifferently and Shea’s Freddy Trebilcock makes blood-
thirsty remarks . .. Jack Silverthorne, brother of O. J. of the
Ontario Board of Censors, is now manager of the Classic, Strat-
ford. Lou Rosefield, formerly of the Palace, Galt, followed him
into the Westdale, Hamilton.

* * %* * od

Art Arthur is writing the first of a new Paramount series,
“Dr. Broadway,” and Rod Cameron, another Canuck, will play
the lead . . . Ned Sparks, they say, will take the comedy role in
a forthcoming Michael Todd musical comedy . .. Norman Reilly
Raine, Queen City scenarist, is one of the writers of Warners
Canadian air opus, “Captain of the Clouds.” Raine was in several
services, including the air force, during the last war . .. David
Manners, the star who got his training at Hart House, is retired
on a desert ranch and just wrote a book called “Convenient
Season.”

* * %* Co %

Jerry Taube, son of Syd, the popular Vending Machine man,
has joined the air force . . . Another whose quiet kindnesses to
the boys in uniform deserve note is Sydney Herman, who has help-
ed them often by solving their personal optical problems. . . . In
“How Green is My Valley” Walter Pidgeon of St. John sings for the
first time in films. He used to warble in operettas. They’re prais-
ing the authentic reproduction of a Welsh village in the picture,
which is the work of 20th Century-Fox’s Art Director, Richard
Day, another Canadian.

if

Page 3

Ascap-Chains
Feud Finished

The Ascap-network feud, which
began at the first of the year, was
finally settled. The battle cost
both sides a great deal and affect-
ed advertisers, film studios and
others caught between the chains
and the composers.

The stoppage cost Ascap
$3,000,000 in royalties so far and
will bring them a total of $16,500,-
000 less than they would have
gotten under the old agreement.

Happiest of all is Hollywood.
Screen music has had to reach
the public while still unfamiliar.
Also the advantages of advance
plugs for pictures as the source
of the music was lost and could
not be made up through any other
medium. Picture producers have
consistently demanded a new pact
and the present one may owe tliem
its existence.

Canadian radio was not affected
by the fight but that did picture
advertising little good, since the
most-listened-to programs origin-
ate in the United States.

U. S. Exhibs KO Tax
LaFollette Helps

The American motion picture in.
dustry has been successful in de-
feating the Senate Finance Com-
mittee’s raising of the theatre ad-
mission tax to 15 per cent. The
Senate rejected the suggested
measure by a great majority.

American exhibitor organiza-
tions, aided by Senator Robert M.
LaFollete, staged a powerful de-
fence against the tax. Senator La-
Follette. called the rate ‘“an inor-
dinate burden” on theatres and
said that it added difficulty to the
recreational habits of the poorer
classes.

sess

HEATING AND VENTILATING

CONTRACTORS AND ENGINEERS
NAVAN

The Exhibitor

September 15th, 1941

COLUMBIA

HERE COMES MR. JORDAN

The amazing Robert Montgomery is still alternating between
slick salon and tough ruffian roles. And he’s still thoroughly at
home in either. This time he plays an easy-going prizefighter in
a shining celluloid lark about reincarnation.

Montgomery, flying to a fight, crashes. Edward Everett Hor-
ton, field man for the otherworld soul-collecting agency super-
vised by Claude Rains, in his eagerness to run up a big quota
fast, snags Montgomery’s soul before his physical frame expires.
This is strictly a foul. They try to put the Bob of the shadows
back into the Bob of substance but find that Jimmy Gleason, his
manager, has had the casing cremated.

Montgomery, Rains and Horton go on a body-shopping tour
but the picky Bob can’t be satisfied. During the junket Bob,
invisible to jall but his otherworld buddies, helps justice, falls in
love with Evelyn Keyes and wins a championship. How the mor-
tal Miss Keyes and the spiritual Montgomery join their love is
just one of the well-worked out answers.

This is probably the most entertaining fantasy in years. The
story abounds in surprising turns and will keep the audience just
far enough behind it all the way. What would ordinarily be an
involved story is easily followed under the clean-cut direction of
Alexander C. Hall. Also, to the credit of the writers, invisible
man tricks of a scenic nature are not substituted for plot twists.

Shine up the ticket machine, fellow. There’s a hard time
ahead for it. :

TWO LATINS FROM MANHATTAN

Here’s a pert little musical that will lighten any bill. The
much-plugged Jinx Falkenberg and capable Joan Woodbury play
a couple of unwanted vocalists who usurp the contract of a
Cuban team and make a hit. Joan Davis leads the laughs and
some new fellow—we missed his name—appears infrequently
to woo Woodbury.

R.C.A. “High Fidelity” Sound Systems

Northern Electric “Mirrophonic”
Sound Systems

Motiograph Projectors

_Century Projectors

Ashcraft Arc Lamp Equipment
{mperial “Stedypower” Generators .
Forest Rectifiers

R.C.A. Hurley Screens

Celotex Acoustical Materials

. . - Also Other Miscellaneous
Booth Supplies.

DOMINION SOUND

EQUIPMENTS LIMITED

Head Office: 1620 Notre Dame Street West, Montreal
Brancnes at: HALIFAX TORONTO WINNIPEG REGINA CALGARY VANCOUVER

A NATIONAL THEATRE SERVICE

WARNERS

INTERNATIONAL SQUADRON

SUN

This plane picture is without the technicolor and polish of
the big-shot stuff but it makes that up in excitement and realis-
tic background scenes. The plot is the veteran of a hundred such.
But the neighborhood patrons, won’t mind this and it should do
good district business. —

Ronald Reagian is a lightheaded gadabout via air who ferries
a bomber to avoid being sued by disappointed dames. Though
James Stephenson, recently deceased, is billed big he plays in
support. As a British officer and pal of Reagan, Stephenson hasn’t
much to do but portray the quiet, determined English chanacter.
But he gives the whole thing class.

Reagan joins the squadron and distinguishes himself after
acting the heel. Olympe Bradna and Bill Lundigan serve well.
Cliff Edwards seems forgotten in the excitement but pops up
every so often to inject laughs.

FOX

VALLEY SERENADE

A while back the trade was crying .to.-get Sonja Henie off
skates to put her back on her feet., Miss Henie’s skating
sequences were cut down but it didn’t help::much. Now, in this
picture, she’s back on blades in a big way--and the result will be
many a happy theatre hour for patron and.-exhibitor.

“Sun Valley..Serenade” is her best effort. to date and the
country is responding. Henie’s skating is sharper than ever, the
production numbers around her..exceed any previous efforts. and
the general show provides enough of varied entertainment to
suit almost every taste. Glenn Miller and his orchestra play the
crackerjack compositions of Mack Gordon and Harry Warren
and John Payne, the romantic lead, sings them.

Milton Berle comes into his comedic own in this and Joan
Davis, despite the damper on her hoydenish hub-bub, scores
strongly. Lynn Bari sings and acts well and the Nicholas Broth-
ers turn in a stint of unusual dancing.

Miss Henie is a refugee ‘consigned to orchestra leader John

. Payne, who thought he was helping a child but, though dissatis-

fied, is compelled to carry on. In Sun Valley love sets in. This one
is money in the bank. ,

WHAT HAPPENS AT NIGHT

SIX GUN GOLD

INTERNATIONAL. LADY

A pleasant Terrytoon in which insects and animals indulge
in a nocturnal concert. Nicely grotesque. Not highly humorous
or slapsticky.

PARAMOUNT

NIGHT OF JANUARY 16TH

A well-done. version of the old thriller. It starts slowly but
picks up pace, thrills and chills as it moves toward the solution.

Ellen Drew is the girl accused of killing her boss and
Robert Preston, nephew and heir, falls in love with her. The
money has been swiped so both settle her innocence and the
question of who got the plunder. They dug up Nils Asther for
this one and the old-timer shapes up well.

It will do on anybody’s double bill.

RKO

A No. 1 double-bill western that will be big stuff for the
lollipop custom. Tim Holt finds Leroy Mason posing as his
brother, a marshall. The problem is to get a shipment of gold
to the nearest bank. He does it with the aid of comedian Lee
“Luasses” White and Ray Whitley, who sings two songs well.
They capture the bad guys, too.

UNITED ARTISTS

i ‘

A well-mounted super-snooper saga popularily cast and
occasionally thrilling. Ilona Massey is the German spy, Gene
Lockhart helps her, George Brent of the FBI and Basil Rathbone
of Scotland Yard compete to pinch her. first. It’s a tie that
way but Brent wins her help and love. It has secret codes and
music,

September 15th, 194]

PRC Increases
Production List

Under the supervision of George
Batcheller Producers’ Releasing
Corporation is making the greatest
production spurt in its history. One
picture is in the cutting room, four
are shooting and four are ready to
go within ia month.

Currently in the last stages of
cutting is B. B. Ray’s production of
“Dangerous Lady,” Neil Hamilton-
June Storey co-starer. The cast in-
cludes such personalities as Doug-
las Fowley, John Holland, Emmett
Vogan, Evelyn Brent, Greta Gran-
sedt, Clark Stockdale, Jack Mul-
hall, Kenneth Harlan, John Ince,
gart and James Aubrey.

Before the cameras is Merrick-
Alexander’s “Professional Bride,’
P.R.C.’s first feature on the 41-42
schedule.

Jack La Rue, Kane Richmond,
Mary Healy, and Iris Adrian are
the top quartet in this film. You
all remember La Rue’s great work
in “Paper Bullets’’—hailed by crit-
ics from coast-to-coast as one of
the standout performances of
many months. Kane Richmond,
starred in ‘‘Double Cross,” returns
to P.R.C. after leading roles in two
20th Century-Fox pictures, includ-
ing “Last of the Duanes.” Mary
Healy, formerly under contract to
20th Century-Fox, makes her first
picture away from that lot for
Merrick-Alexander. Iris Adrian has
been featured in ‘Back Door To
Heaven,” “One Third of a Nation,”
“Wild Geese Calling,’ and ‘Lady
From Cheyenne.”

"Tillie" Back

New York’s Criterion theatre
has revived “Tillie’s Punctured

Romance,” the ancient silent com-
edy with the late Marie Dressler,
Charlie Chaplin and the Keystone
Kops.

The Exhibitor

Picture Pickups

By TAP KEYES

(Harland Rankin is owner of the Plaza, Tilbury, and manager
of the Centre, Chatham. Harland, one of the province’s top-
ranking managers, is friendly, efficient and alive to all boxoffice
possibilities. He has a sense of humor and a good memory—as
witness these recollections. )

Harland Rankin Recalls:

Four years ago I picked up a chap outside the town of
Tilbury. After driving a while I asked him if he ever attended
the Plaza theatre. “Yes,” he said. He went once a week, he
explained—and spent the rest of the time at home picking slivers
out of himself.

(We had old wooden seats then.)

% Es # * *

One evening I noticed a mother holding her baby. She
looked tired. The Boy Scout in me came out. I held the child
to give the lady a rest. She was most appreciative. So much
so that she slipped away, took a seat somewhere in the house
and I had a baby on my hands for the rest of the show.

The baby wasn’t too pleased with the arrangement. So I
bribed it with an allday sucker—which I shared.

ok * of *. +

One time a society lady was taken with a heart attack in
the theatre. I put her in my car and rushed her home. I had to
carry the patient into her house. The house had sixteen steps.
My back needed chiropractic treatments for a week.

* * * * ook

Another time a gentleman had the same thing happen to him.
He was an out-of-towner visiting our local hardware merchant.
Again I took the patient home. I got out of the car in front of
the house, walked around it and got in beside him to ease his
distress.

All of a sudden the car door opened and a beautiful lady
threw her arms around me, saying, “Are you all right, dear?”

It was his wife. Was she surprised! And were we both
embarrassed!

* Co * * *

There was the night I was about to act as master of cere-
monies for our amateur contest. I ripped my trousers. A frantic
search revealed that the projectionist wore the same size as I
do.

They needed pressing—but a hurried change and the day was
saved.

* * * * Po
Five years ago I visited Paris, France. Like other tourists

I wanted to see one of the much-talked-about Paris shows. In one

theatre I found jan end seat, sat down for a moment, then thought
I’d be more comfortable without my topcoat.

I stood up, removed it and sat down—on the floor with a .

bump! There was no seat. I landed ungraciously in the aisles, to
the loud laughter of my fellow-patrons.

Several years ago, when picture G-men became popular,
I got a presentation idea. I arranged for the house to be dark
just beforeé the picture was to begin. My idea was to slip back-
stage and shoot off a shotgun for effect as it opened.

I removed the bullets from the shells. The signal came. I
pulled the trigger. When I came to the feature was half over.

Not being familiar with shotguns, I hadn’t noticed that the
barrel was plugged with mud!

* * * * *
This experience, I think, is the one I’ll remember most often.

I visited the local jail and the turnkey insisted I see everything.

including the solitary ‘confinement cell. He opened it and I was
placed “in confinement.”

My next-door neighbor was to be tried for murder. I carried
on a conversation with him through a small hole in the steel
door that separated the cells. Five minutes went by and the

turnkey wasn’t back. Ten, fifteen and thirty minutes passed—but -
'. no turnkey. By that time I was beginuimy to wonder what I was in

for.

I was hot in my topcoat. The diginfaetant penetrated my
clothes. There was no place to sit down. Fimally the turnkey
came—and I never saw a more welcome man.

A good piece of comedy that didn’t happen in a theatre—
though I didn’t think so at the time.

Page 5

Graduation Day
A La Show Biz

Readers of gossip columnists
and theatre scribblers know of
New York’s famed juvenile junta
of the early 1900’s, Gus Ed-
wards’ group. In it were Walter
Winchell, Eddie Cantor, George
Jessel and other now-celebrated
folk. Toronto, too, had such a
kid crew.

Teacher of the Queen City
crowd was the late Harold Rich,
father of Harold Rich, the well-
Known radio and show pianist.
Among the imps ruled over by
the elder Rich were Bea Lillie,
Gene Lockhart and the Pickford
children, Mary, Lottie and Jack.

Gene was quite an athlete.
He won the cross-the-bay swim
three times in succession in Tor-
onto. It was years later that
Gene, after a hard night of
studying the Officers’ Course at’
U of T, walked outside into the
dawn—then walked inside again
to write the words that became
the lyrics of “The World is
Waiting for the Sunrise.”

Once the children were booked
for a concert in a small- town.
After the show the manager was
found gone with the “take.” Mr.
Rich took no nonsense from’
them and they knew he’d be.
irate. So Bea, a hellion then as
now, was chosen to transfer the
bad news by telephone. She
phoned Mr. Rich.

“Stranded, eh!” the teacher
guffawed.. “Now you can really
call yourselves actors!”

“TR. 1257

Page 6

Allied to Talk
Film Rentals

Advance reservations to the
Twelfth Allied Convention of
exhibitors in Philadelphia have
have broken all records. Present
will be theatre men in every field.
It is unlikely that many Canadian
visitors will attend this purely
American convention because of
the current restrictions on ex-
change and travel.

The Allied findings will be stud-
ied with interest here, however.
Problems common to both sides of
the border will be discussed, such
as gross income and film costs.
U.S. statistics show that 36.6 per
cent of the gross box office receipts
for all theatres was paid for pic-
tures last year. This despite the
fact that the financial reports of
the film companies show very good
earnings.

Another burning issue is what
many consider to be unfair trade
practice, the withholding of pro-
duct promised earlier for delivery.

The Exhibitor

20th Century Theatres
And EBA List Grows

List of Exhibitors Booking
Association Members
As of September 1, 19-41

Twentieth Century Theatres

Belleville—Capitol
Chatham—Centre
—Park
Cobourg—Capitol
Dunnville—Granada
Hamilton—Century
—Community
Kingston—Tivoli
Kitchener—Century
London-—Centre
Napanee—Granada
North Bay—Royal
Orillia—Opera House
—Geneva
Oshawa—Marks
Ottawa—HElgin
Port Hope—Capitol
Sarnia—Park
St. Catharines—Granada
St. Thomas—Granada
—Columbia

of the marquee clearly shows.

The Centre Theatre entered into prevailing spirit of the day when
H.R.H. the Duke of Kent visited London, Ontario, as this picture

i i'and romance

Sudbury—Regent
—Grand
Toronto—Aster*
—Bayview
—Broadview
—Brock
—Community
—Crown
—Kenwood
—Kum-C
—Midtown
—Oriole
—Revue
—Strand
Trenton—Century
Welland—Community
—Park
Windsor—Vanity

Buying & Booking Members Only

Calendonia—Regent
Cardinal—Savoy
Creighton Mines—Regent
Gananoque—Delaney
Gravenhurst—Muskoka
Hanover—Paramount
Hawkesbury—Ottawan
Levack—Rio
Orangeville—Uptown
Ottawa—Somerset
Paris—Capitol
Pembroke—Centre
Peterboro—Centre
Port Elgin—Elgin
St. Catharines—Centre
Sturgeon Falls—Regent
Sudbury—Rio
Tilbury—Plaza
Toronto—Ace
—Avalon
—Bonita
—Broadway
—Circle
—Crescent
+—Embassy
—Manor
—Odeon
—Pape
—Royal
Tweed—Victoria
Wiarton—Berford
* As of April 15th, 1942.

Esquire Offers
Anzac Epic

The dashing Australian soldier
is at last glorified on the screen.
In the new fall release of Esquire
Films, ‘40,000 Horsemen” will
bring to movie audiences the glor-
ious exploits of the Anzacs in the
Palestine desert.

In scenes that are magnificently
thrilling it recreates the immortal
heroism of the dashing Aussies
during a portion of the last war
stirring through
| the love affair of a young soldier

{'and a beautiful girl living in a

| desert outpost.
| Charles Chauvel, who directed,

September 15th, 194]

Runyon Joins

RKO as Producer

Hollywood. — Damon Runyon, .
prolific writer and probably Am-
erica’s best interpreter of the hu-
man side of everyday life, has
accepted a producer’s birth with
RKO.

Hollywood has made fourteen
pictures from Runyon stories, all
moneymakers, and each has left a
warm glow of memory with pic-
ture patrons. Each studio has
made one or more—but RKO. That
studio consistently passed up the
golden eggs but ended with hiring
the goose.

Runyon writes with whim and
vigor. His innate kindness tem-
pers all his work. He has the ad-
vantage of having a great affec-
tion for the motion picture med-
ium and has probably penned the
most-quoted tributes to it.

Most picture fans are mewspap-
er and magazine readers rather
than book digesters. Runyon, with
the tremendous following he has
in his syndicated column and his
Collier’s stories, has a vast and
friendly audience waiting for his
first work.

DeMille Speaks _

(Continued from Page 2)

the dramatic entertainment which
is the chief reason for the exist-
ence of the motion picture indus-
try, it will have served a worth-
while purpose.

I believe that by turning the
consciousness of the American
people inward upon the first prin-
ciples of Americanism, recalling to
them courageous stories .of their
fathers, it is possible to help dis-

|pel the confusion resulting from

the conflict of so many present-
day doctrines, and point the way
to the American destiny.

Not that it lies with any film

An 4hn KnaAiesn toe PTY

(is the discoverer of Errol Flynn. ||

September 15th, 1941

| The Exhibitor

CINEMA BUNS By Frank Filman

The Newsboy

The newsboy—what a lad he is for working with a will, and
bravely putting up a front when everything goes ill, and dashing
in with new intent to keep on trying still—the newsboy.

And how he rises with the dawn, when dawns are grey and
chill, and trembles with an eagerness, his duties to fulfil, and how
his cries, e’er you arise, come piping far and shrill—the newsboy.

When night has settled o’er he earth and by your fire you
rest, you hear him calling, calling still, with endless zeal and zest;
he comes and goes without complaint, and does his level best—

the newsboy.

There is a moral in his ways for men sedate to read, a lesson
that the wisest heads may profitably heed; he meets unflinchingly
life’s test, where’er its way may lead—the newsboy.

And somewhere in the Father’s heart I think a corner lies,

and somewhere there’s a kindly

Judge afar off in the skies, for

that wee, stalwart citizen with eager friendly eyes—the newsboy.

Somebody said it couldn’t be done;

But he, with a chuckle, replied
That maybe it couldn’t, but he
would be one
That wouldn’t say so ’til he
tried.
So he buckled right in
With a trace of a grin on his
face—
If he worried, he didn’t show it.
For he started to sing,
As he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, but he did
it.
—Selected.

eR WO i ee

One of those professional hum-
an flies was climbing up the side
of a building when he discovered
that, two storeys below him, was
a man doing the same thing. The
man was drunk.

The human fly carried a para-
chute just in case. Having had
the edge taken off his act by the
drunk, he decided to outshine him.
He got to the top and parachuted
down. As he jumped the drunk
was climbing onto the roof.

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As the human fly floated down
he heard a shout from the crowd.
Not to be outdone, the drunk had
jumped. And without artificial aid.

As he passed the human fly he
shouted: “Sissy!”

* * * * *

When war was declared a Brit-
ish outpost in Africa got this wire:
“Arrest all enemy aliens.”

Several hours later the War Of-
fice got this reply: “We have ar-
rested two Germans, three French-
men, one Swede, one Bulgarian.
Who are we at war with?”

ge ae Ro ae
BOOST

Boost your city, boost your friend,

Boost the meetings you attend;

Boost the street on which you’re
dwelling,

Boost the goods that you are
selling.

Boost the people ’round about you

They can get along without vou,

But success will quicker find them.

Boost for every forward movement

Boost for every new improvement;

Boost the man for whom you labor,

Boost the stranger and the
neighbor.

Cease to be a chronic knocker,

Cease to be a progress blocker;

If you’d make conditions better,

Boost right to the final letter.

—Selected
* ek RR

I might have praised him
yesterday,
But now he cannot hear,
And I that had no word to say,
Send roses to his bier.
Time was I might have cheered his
life,
When warm in him was breath,
But I that failed him im tke strife
Now beautify his death.
Oh, how much longer must I live,
Before I cease to wait
The roses of my love to give
Until it is too late?
—Anon.

O

Wanger Wings to
Britain for Film

Walter Wanger will be the first
American motion picture producer
to go to England since the begin-
ning of the war, when he flies to
London late this month to check
the progress of his production unit
now working on “The Eagle
Squadron.”’ The picture, which is
an Argosy production, has been
before the cameras since August
20, under the direction of Ernest

Schoedsack of Hollywood and
Harry Watts of London.
“The Eagle Squadron,” which

is being filmed under the supervi-
sion of Merian C. Cooper, flying
ace of World War 1 and now in
the American army, will be in pro-
duction for several months before
it is completed at the Wanger
studios in Hollywood.

Wanger stated that he expects
to spend several weeks with his
company in England, since it is
his aim to bring to the American
screen a feature film which pre-
sents a true picture of how war-| form of flattery.
fare above the clouds really looks.

When Replacing That
Amplifier—
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Japan isn’t nearly so sure now
that intimidation is the sincerest

Wier doesn’t have to be a loser!

When business is good, there’s enough for every-
body. Good pictures are what make business good.
The producer of good pictures deserves an invest-
ment return that the exhibitor should be glad to
pay.

The partnership trust between the man who
makes hits and the man who shows them should
preclude the desire on the part of either to prosper
at the expense of the other.

The exhibitor who underpays for fine pictures
that bring him good profit is committing a business
folly against his own theatre. If he wants to stay in
business next month he'll need worthy product as
badly as he needs it today.

But where will he get it, if he stifles creative in-
centive at its source? No producer who is human is
going to continue to make great pictures at the cost
of financial disaster to himself.

The producer who conscientiously holds up his
end of the partnership with exhibitors, doesn’t
hastily whip up mediocre ingredients with the wish-

ful thought that by some miracle a “sleeper” will
be born.

The producer who is worth dealing with at all
gets the best value money can buy in script, stars
and finished production. He gives the exhibitor a
saleable commodity and when that commodity is
sold at a profit, he is entitled to a price high enough
to be awarded on his investment and to obtain
capital for future pictures.

We both can win .. . without stealing from the
pockets of the other. Great attractions make heroes
of both distributors and exhibitors. Great attrac-
tions sold on terms fair to those who produce them
and fair to those who buy them will be found this
year at

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This advertisement, while dealing with a subject of industry-wide concern, is paid for by United Artists.

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